Kildare's record championship appearance holder Eamonn Callaghan has announced his retirement from inter-county football.
The former Kildare captain steps away from the Lilywhites following a season in which Kildare dumped Mayo out of the championship as he brings his 17-year career to a close.
Callaghan also departs having set a record of 68 championship appearances earlier this summer.
According to our records on https://t.co/duYxO5xeby Eamonn Callaghan will equal Kildare’s competitive appearances record of 159 games jointly held by Johnny Doyle and Anthony Rainbow if he makes an appearance on Sunday. Last Saturday he creates a new C’ship record of 68 apps.
— Kildaregaa365 (@kildaregaa365) July 12, 2018
"It is with a heavy heart that my time has come to call it a day with the Kildare senior footballers," he said in a statement published on his Twitter page on Saturday.
The Naas man made his senior inter-county debut in the 2003 Leinster final against Laois and featured during Kildare's Super 8s campaign this year.
"I've been very fortunate to have had such a lengthy career representing my county," the statement continues, "getting the opportunity to captain Kildare in that time, and create memories of a lifetime.
"I would like to thank all the managers and backroom team who have guided me over the last 17 years. It has been an absolute privilege and a dream come true to have played alongside some of the best footballers in the country.
Time for the next chapter ⚪️ pic.twitter.com/lxJ5DaT2DO
— Eamonn Callaghan (@leperleper) August 11, 2018
"I will miss the craic with the lads but I'm grateful to have shared a dressing room with them over the years and for the close friends I have made in that time. I would like to thank the passionate Kildare supporters for all their loyalty over the years, it was an honour to put on the white jersey to represent you and the support you give the team is always appreciated.
"It has been an honour to represent the Naas club during my time with Kildare and I'll be forever thankful to them for their support.
"Finally, my family who have always been by my side. My parents, Pat and Teresa, my sisters Siobhán, Niamh and Eadaoin, my wife Katie and newest addition to our family Fionn.
"This year has shown that the future of Kildare football is bright and I look forward to supporting the lads in the years to come.
"Cill Dara Abú."
